Proposed state legislation would make it harder for illegal aliens living in Pennsylvania to receive public benefits.

Senate Bill 9 — formally known as the Proof of Citizenship for Receipt of Public Benefits Act — was introduced by Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Brockway, and would prevent illegal aliens from receiving such benefits as Medicaid, welfare and in-state college tuition without identification proving they are legal residents.

The legislation, which has 24 co-sponsors, currently sits in front of the State Government Committee.

“This is a straightforward matter of Pennsylvania citizens not having to sacrifice their hard-earned dollars to subsidize immigrants who are in this country illegally,” Scarnati said Wednesday. “We need to ensure that there are tough laws aimed at eliminating benefits to individuals who are living here outside of the law.”

Scarnati said in addition to providing a valid ID to receive the benefits, individuals will also be required to sign an affidavit stating they are a U.S. citizen, or an alien lawfully residing in this country. The legislation will apply to anyone at least 18 years old.

The lawmaker said any applicant signing the affidavit stating they are a legal alien would have their status verified by the Federal Systematic Alien Verification of Entitlement Programs operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

“Without question, we have too many illegal aliens in this country and in this state,” Scarnati said, adding the bill acts to discourage illegal behavior and prevents actions that could place state residents in financial jeopardy.

The issue of foreign workers and illegal aliens is germane to the local area — three men face deportation after a Mexican man was attacked and stabbed by two men from Honduras in the Buckaloons Campground in nearby Warren County. All three men were found to be in the country illegally.

The hotbutton issue of using illegal aliens for work has also caused debate nationwide, particularly along the southwestern border of the country.

Scarnati said his legislation also has pragmatic purposes — to blunt the tide of increased spending in the state capitol.

“During the budget process it became clear that if we don’t get major cost drivers under control — welfare, corrections and education — we will never be able to control state spending,” Scarnati said, adding those three areas comprise the vast amount of what the state spends money on.

Last month, Scarnati called the state budget a win for families and job creators, but noted while the plan helps control spending and doesn’t call for a tax increase, more needs to be done. The lawmaker said the Department of Public Welfare and Education realized a combined hike of $900 million alone; with those taken out of the budget equation, all other appropriations decreased by 1 percent.

“If we don’t get our arms around these spending issues, we are going to be in trouble,” Scarnati said. “The federal government has failed to take action, so the state has to step up to the plate here. It’s our dollars going out the door.”

Along those lines, Scarnati said the state’s citizens shouldn’t have to pay the bill for illegal aliens either.

“Federal law already prohibits illegals from getting state benefits, but state law has been too lenient in enforcing those provisions,” Scarnati said. “It’s important a person not just make a good faith effort, but they have to prove they are a citizen of this state and country.”

The lawmaker said a group called the Federation for Immigration Reform estimates the national cost for providing education, medical services and incarceration is about $36 billion. In Pennsylvania, those services come at a price tag of $285 million — or one percent of the budget.

“It just boggles your mind,” Scarnati said.

Scarnati was quick to point out, however, that the legislation has a “compassionate side to it,” noting no children will be denied any necessities.

“We have to balance our moral obligation to our fellow man, but also be good stewards of tax dollars,” Scarnati said. “This bill ensures better checks and balances are put in place to not fund illegal aliens.”

When asked about receiving any flak for taking this stance, or any discrimination issues, Scarnati said he wasn’t afraid of that.

“This issue is front and center,” Scarnati said. “The purpose here is one of fairness. One thing that is clear to me is that Pennsylvanians don’t want tax increases and they want spending controlled. This is a good step forward.

“I appreciate that this country and this state has individuals with many diverse backgrounds, but it is imperative that to remain competitive and to ensure public safety, we must have laws in place to discourage the practice of residing in Pennsylvania illegally.”

Scarnati said the issue deserves a public hearing when the Legislature returns to work in the fall, adding officials need to discern whether the Department of Public Welfare is doing its job.

According to recent studies, there are more than 100,000 illegal aliens living in the state.

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